We recently had the chance to connect with Marie Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Marie , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
Let’s see… I usually wake up before my alarm, which I set for just before or after 5 a.m., depending on which workout class I’m heading to that day. After getting myself ready and making sure the kids are moving toward being dressed for school, I head out to either F45 or Session Pilates.
My mornings are typically filled with client sessions or meetings, and I like to keep afternoons open for a walk-and-talk networking or coaching meeting. Later in the day, I pick up my son from school, and we tackle a bit of homework before he heads to practice.
Unless I have Writer’s Club or a Zoom class to teach, I’ll make dinner for the family, and we usually end the evening with a card game or a board game before prepping for the next day and heading to bed.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Marie Smith, the founder of Golden Hour Coaching. My work is all about helping women reclaim their energy, clarity, and confidence so they can show up as their best selves at work, at home, and in their communities.
Golden Hour Coaching was born from a simple but powerful idea: just like the golden hour of the day when the light is soft and beautiful, we all need our own “golden hour” — a non-negotiable time to nourish, move, rest, and reset. That philosophy runs through everything I do, from one-on-one coaching to group programs like Energize Your Life and Clarity Catalyst, to retreats and workshops that invite women to slow down, reconnect, and transform.
What makes my brand unique is that it blends mindset coaching, health and wellness practices, and soulful experiences in a way that’s practical but also deeply meaningful. I bring together my background as a trainer, coach, and facilitator with my own personal journey of resilience and rediscovery. Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding my retreats and teaching programs — both in person and online — to help even more women carve out space for what matters most.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work was my dad. He always reminded me that anything worth doing is worth doing well, and he encouraged me to approach everything with dedication and pride. Watching his example and hearing his words instilled in me a strong work ethic and the belief that showing up fully matters — not just for others, but for yourself too.
That lesson has stayed with me and became a foundation for Golden Hour Coaching. The women I work with are often giving so much to their families, careers, and communities that they forget to give the same level of care and commitment to themselves. My dad’s influence reminds me — and now my clients — that we are worth the effort, and that tending to our own “golden hour” each day is just as important as the work we do for others.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the most defining wounds of my life came just three days after my wedding, when my mother passed away. It was a season that should have been filled with joy, yet I was navigating profound grief while trying to start a new chapter of my life. For years, I pushed through by doing what I thought I “should” do — building a life that looked good on the outside, even though I often felt lost and inadequate on the inside.
That wound, combined with the quiet weight of pretending everything was fine, eventually caught up with me. Healing came through counseling, coaching, faith, and the grace of mentors and friends who held space for me to rediscover who I really was. Instead of striving to be who I thought others wanted me to be, I learned to listen inward, to honor my own spirit, and to trust the whispers of the Holy Spirit guiding me forward.
That journey became the foundation of my work today. Golden Hour Coaching was born out of my own transformation — moving from exhaustion and self-doubt into clarity, purpose, and energy. Now I walk alongside women who are ready to do the same: to tend to their wounds, reclaim their worth, and create lives that feel deeply aligned and whole.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Haha, YES! I don’t have the bandwidth to be a different person in different situations — what you see is what you get. I’m all about authenticity and living your truth, because it’s exhausting trying to be someone you’re not. I think that’s part of the reason people connect with me so easily: they know who they’re getting. The “public me” is simply the real me, showing up with the same energy, humor, and heart whether I’m coaching a client, leading a retreat, or having coffee with a friend.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, my role, and everything I own, what would remain is my purpose — and that can’t be taken away. For me, purpose isn’t about a title or a job description; it’s a way of being. At my core, I am here to serve others and to inspire them to step into the best version of themselves.
That truth has carried me through seasons of transition and loss, reminding me that even when circumstances change, who I am doesn’t. Whether I’m coaching, teaching, writing, or simply showing up in everyday life, that purpose shines through. It’s the thread that connects everything I do, and it’s the most enduring part of me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goldenhourcoaching.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mygoldenhourcoaching/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariesmith-goldenhourcoaching/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mygoldenhourcoaching/
Image Credits
Mary Kathryn Photo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
